PHOTOS : TABITHA SIZEMORE , HAYS RACING

Hays ’ father , Pat , is the man responsible for Hays ’ s love of racing and his mother , Robin , has been supportive every step of the way . Hays started racing dirt bikes and go karts when he was twelve years old , and looked up to famed Mustang racer Don Walsh , Jr . At the age of fifteen , he purchased a ’ 92 Ford Mustang that is still with him today and has since transformed into his fierce , feared Ultra Street entry .

In its current state and having received chassis updates from Skinny Kid Race Cars , Hays ’ s Mustang is powered by a 588 ci Uratchko Racing Engines big block topped with Slick Rick Racing Heads and a single billet Book Racing Engines carburetor , flanked by matching Marcella manifolds . A Turbo 400 transmission is bolted to a converter from Neal Chance , while the suspension setup consists of Team Z Motorsports components with Santhuff shocks .

Despite being in a class surrounded by boost and nitrous-gulping machines , Hays chooses to stick with a naturally aspirated big block setup . “ I like the challenge of running an N / A car . I like to think about things and maximize everything to its potential ,” he explained of why he enjoys the

challenge of running all motor . “ Anyone can build power with a boosted combination – you still have to work at it , of course – but the N / A stuff has to be perfect from the front to the back . You almost have to work twice as hard to be competitive with someone working half as hard .”

Working hard comes naturally to Hays , whose ethic is inspiring . On his own dime , he rose to the top of the Ultra Street ranks in just a few short years . In 2014 , his first heads-up season , he was named Milan Dragway ’ s “ Most Improved Driver ” and finished third in points for their all-motor series . In 2015 , Hays racked up more honors including two semifinal all-motor finishes at Milan . Running on radials for the first time , Hays scored the overall win in Ultra Street in August that same year while racing at Kilkare International Dragway ’ s Xtreme Outlaw Series . The following month , Hays took the number one qualifier spot with a 4.913 at 141.80 mph pass in a massive field of 51 Ultra 275 cars at the YellowBullet Nationals . “ I was given the ‘ phuck sticks make it happen award ’ for having the fastest all-motor car on the property on radials ,” he added . Next , while racing at Summit Motorsports Park ’ s Shakedown at the Summit , Hays topped the qualifying sheet once again . In addition to

his multiple number one qualifiers , Hays has a quickly growing list of round wins at extremely prestigious events .

Hays also enjoys the distinction of having the quickest big block-powered naturally aspirated combination on radials in the country , and set both the elapsed time and mile per hour record for a naturally aspirated Ultra Street car at Cecil County Dragway when he ran a personal best of 4.77 at 146.05 mph at the 2016 YellowBullet Nationals .

The biggest challenge Hays has faced , though , hasn ’ t been on the track – it ’ s been around it . “ I don ’ t think there ’ s enough respect for young racers . We need to be supportive and make them feel welcome , to show them that if they work hard , they can get where they want to be ,” he noted . It ’ s a valuable lesson not just for racing , but for life in general , and Hays is committed to paying it forward as much as possible . “ I like helping the community and want to be a positive example for kids , to give them goal to shoot for .” Hays knows he might not be the most approachable-looking guy out there , but in reality , he ’ s always happy to talk shop and share his knowledge with fellow racers , fans , and the next generation of record-setters like himself .

– AINSLEY JACOBS DI

November 2016

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